Heathrow expansion gets the green light from government
It has taken much longer than many wanted but the government has confirmed Heathrow's third runway is getting the go-ahead.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling said:
A new runway at Heathrow will improve connectivity in the UK itself and crucially boost our connections with the rest of the world, supporting exports, trade and job opportunities.
This is an important issue for the whole country. That is why the government’s preferred scheme will be subject to full and fair public consultation.
Grayling also said expansion will only be allowed to proceed "on the basis of a world class package of compensation and mitigation worth up to £2.6bn". This will include community support, insulation and respite from noise.
It had been the widely predicted choice, in spite of a late charge by Gatwick – including a tie-up with construction giant Bechtel to deliver a second runway by 2025.
The government is now giving MPs "with long-held views and constituency issues" the chance to speak out against it. So the final decision on expanding airport capacity won't be taken by parliament until next winter 2017-18 to allow for public debate.
Read more: Business pushes government on airport decision after Gatwick's record month
Chair of the transport committee Louise Ellman, said: "After decades of dithering, the decision has been made and it is the right one. We have had to wait a long time for this. We recognise it won't be an easy journey and the government faces significant challenges. Guarantees will need to be met on noise and pollution. We urge the government to have the courage of their convictions and press ahead so that the timetable to deliver the additional capacity by 2030 can be delivered."
A Heathrow spokesman said: “We welcome the news that Heathrow is government’s preferred site for a new runway and look forward to hearing the full details later from the transport secretary."
And even with this highly-anticipated announcement, the debate over airport expansion is likely to continue.
Solicitors Harrison Grant acting on behalf of Hillingdon, Richmond, Wandsworth & Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead councils have already said that the Prime Minister can expect court action against a third Heathrow runway.
Gatwick meanwhile remains on standby should plans change – as it anticipates them to. It has said Heathrow was “likely to fail” in building a third runway.
Read more: Heathrow vs. Gatwick debate: Don't expect expansion anytime soon
After several years of research Sir Howard Davies’ Airports Commission reported in July 2015, recommending a third runway at Heathrow. But a range of delays followed, as concerns were raised over the environmental impact of the proposals and the summer referendum put airport expansion firmly on the back-burner.
David Cameron had been expected to approve the £17.6bn expansion in the summer, but that timetable was thrown out the window following his resignation.